Going back to school. 

For me,  this now holds great memories as well as anticipation.  Homeschooling continues to be the the venue God uses to refine us—drawing us closer to each other and ultimately Himself.

Spending time with the people God gave us and depending on Him to bring forth the character and skills we seek to instill is still the greatest calling I have ever received. It is also the most challenging task I have embarked on. Saying “yes” to an undertaking God charges us with, but we cannot do on our own strength, provides Him the opportunity to show Himself strong. In turn, we receive another opportunity to praise Him.

34. listen to great audio books as we travel.

35. train that character and peace keeping precede liberty. Any privilege can be called off at any time if attitudes deserve attention.

36. make time to talk through the bigger issues of life that arise especially in the teen years.

37. rely on Biblical resources in order to direct each one in steps of life.

38. demonstrate that people of all ages are our friends—some of our kid’s best friends and mentors are many years their senior.

39. watch the joy of each one writing their summer adventures, Christmas memories, and juicy hunting stories to laugh over and enjoy for years to come.

40. study and create ballistics to supplement our curriculum:

• Bullet drop points—physics
• Long distance shooting—marksmanship
• Reloading—math

41. remember the preciousness of life is core–life before birth and until God calls each one home. We defend life!

42. fervently discuss theology that shows up as we hammer out politics and discuss current events at the dinner table.

43. learn health and nutrition shown in caring for family and close friends. We studying and applying wisdom from the ages as well as employing discoveries from modern day.

44. see that a friend in need is an invitation to serve, learn, and rely on God together.

45. when we grow weary, call out to fellow sojourners on our path to pray for us. Inevitably we receive the strength to continue. Staying motivated is a gift from God.

46. accept that alas, we are not enough for all our kid’s needs. We pray and wait for God’s best for them. Then watch Him come through with a writing coach, mentor, job opportunity, etc.

47. relish watching older children learn skills and patience helping younger siblings with math, reading, chores, and hobbies.

48. build fences, decks, and remodel our kitchen with Dad.

49. go to work with Dad providing more skills and opportunity to learn integrity.

50. teach diligence. Work ethic soars as the best workers receive hire first. Those who struggle to get jobs completed at home are not allowed outside work. The wise work efficiently.

51. give kids a tapered gradual entrance into the world.  Sending kids off “to be a light” is often misleading. I find our children are the most bold to stand for what’s right when the majority of their foundation is set.

52. provide time for road trips to see God’s wonder—instilling an awe for our Creator.

53. bring opportunities to help run conferences, musicals, concerts, etc. build volunteer skills and resumes.

54. look to God and His word to boost us when stuck in the relational grind.

55. seek the Lord to cover all our short comings in character and educational gaps, building trust and dependence on God.

56. watch our children mature and fill educational gaps, allowing us to learn with and from them as they move from being children to being our peers.

57. ask God to cancel a disastrous crop and sews seeds of righteousness for His glory.

58. use our days as an excellent opportunity to train our children to do spiritual warfare—pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God (from 2 Corinthians 10:4-5 NKJV).

59. praise beginning efforts as well as valiant strides from maturing students. Youngers strive to be like their older siblings. There is a domino effect. Pray it works to you advantage and God’s glory.

60. listen to great audio books as we travel

61. invite the elderly, experienced friends to show us what grows in our woods by taking an herb walk.

62. identify the birds of all kinds that Grandpa draws in with bird seed to our porch.

63. have writing sprees—writing books for younger readers (especially for their b-days), gives them personalized interest to find out where the adventure takes them and what new talents they develop.

64. plan a poetry night—read aloud our favorites with family and friends.

65. break up the mid-winter with a long camp-out trip to the bookstore—sit and read 1-on-1 with mom.

66. go fishing with Dad on a spontaneous week day.